Profile edge of an aerodynamic profile

Abstract

In the case of a profile edge of an aerodynamic profile the profile edge (1, 20) comprises multifunctional material on its outside (3, 23) and/or inside (2, 22) or within its structure (11).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adaptive profile edge of an aerodynamic profile, the aerodynamic profile having a body structure including an outside surface disposed along a periphery of the profile edge, an inside surface opposite the outside surface, an upper side and an under side, the profile edge comprising: an initial curvature;   a coating of multifunctional material disposed in a partly distributed manner on the outside surface of the profile edge;   and wherein upon introduction of an external force to the profile edge the multifunctional material is activated, activation of the multifunctional material causing a structural deformation of the profile edge along its length thereof so as to vary the initial curvature of the first profile edge into a second curvature.   
     
     
       2. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein activation of the multifunctional material can be effected selectively and variably over a length of the profile edge. 
     
     
       3. Profile edge according to claim 2, wherein the multifunctional material can be driven in phase or out of phase. 
     
     
       4. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the outside surface and inside surface defines a wall thickness which is variable over a length of the profile edge. 
     
     
       5. Profile edge according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor consisting of multifunctional material and an adaptive regulator operatively associated therewith, wherein the sensor detects actual deformation of the profile edge and the adaptive regulator compares the actual deformation with a predetermined desired value. 
     
     
       6. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the profile edge is a leading edge of the aerodynamic profile. 
     
     
       7. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the multifunctional material comprises a material suitable for high-frequency applications. 
     
     
       8. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the profile edge comprises a fibre composite material. 
     
     
       9. Profile edge according to claim 8, wherein the coating of multifunctional material is laminated or bonded onto the profile edge. 
     
     
       10. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the profile edge is a trailing edge of the aerodynamic profile. 
     
     
       11. Profile edge according to claim 10, further comprising a leading edge tapering to a point such that a variable curvature of profiles can be generated. 
     
     
       12. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the profile edge is part of a helicopter rotor blade, part of a vane of a wind-power installation, part of a turbine blade, part of a compressor blade or part of an aerofoil of an aircraft. 
     
     
       13. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the external force is a flexural moment, a longitudinal force, or a thrust force. 
     
     
       14. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the multifunctional material is provided in a partly distributed manner on the inside surface of the profile edge. 
     
     
       15. Profile edge according to claim 14, wherein the multifunctional material is provided in a partly distributed manner on the upper side of the profile edge. 
     
     
       16. Profile edge according to claim 14, wherein the multifunctional material is provided in a partly distributed manner on the under side of the profile edge. 
     
     
       17. Profile edge according to claim 5, further comprising an actuator operatively associated with the adaptive regulator and multifunctional material, wherein a deviation of the actual deformation of the profile edge from the desired value is regulated by a response of the actuator to the multifunctional material. 
     
     
       18. Profile edge according to claim 17, wherein the sensor consisting of multifunctional material also serves as the actuator. 
     
     
       19. Profile edge according to claim 7, wherein the material suitable for high frequency applications is selected from the group consisting of piezoceramic, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive material. 
     
     
       20. Profile edge according to claim 8, wherein the fibre composite material is selected from the group consisting of carbon-reinforced composite material, graphite-reinforced composite material, or metal. 
     
     
       21. Profile edge according to claim 8, wherein the coating of multifunctional material is applied by means of a plasma process or is incorporated into the outer layers of the profile edge by lamination. 
     
     
       22. Profile edge according to claim 1, wherein the profile edge is a leading edge of the aerodynamic profile. 
     
     
       23. An adaptive profile edge of an aerodynamic profile, the aerodynamic profile having a body structure including an outside surface disposed along a periphery of the profile edge, an inside surface opposite the outside surface, an upper side and an under side, the profile edge comprising: an initial curvature;   a coating of multifunctional material disposed in a partly distributed manner on the inside surface of the profile edge;   and wherein upon introduction of an external force to the profile edge the multifunctional material is activated, activation of the multifunctional material causing a structural deformation of the profile edge along its length thereof so as to vary the initial curvature of the first profile edge into a second curvature.   
     
     
       24. An adaptive profile edge of an aerodynamic profile, the aerodynamic profile having a body structure including an outside surface disposed along a periphery of the profile edge, an inside surface opposite the outside surface, an upper side and an under side, the profile edge comprising: an initial curvature;   a shear-active layer of multifunctional material disposed within the body structure of the aerodynamic profile in a partly distributed manner;   and wherein upon introduction of an external force to the profile edge the multifunctional material is activated, activation of the multifunctional material causing a structural deformation of the profile edge along its length thereof so as to vary the initial curvature of the first profile edge into a second curvature.   
     
     
       25. Profile edge according to claim 24, wherein the shear active layer is enclosed within the body structure of the aerodynamic profile. 
     
     
       26. Profile edge according to claim 24, wherein activation of the multifunctional material can be effected selectively and variably over a length of the profile edge. 
     
     
       27. Profile edge according to claim 24, wherein the multifunctional material can be driven in phase or out of phase. 
     
     
       28. Profile edge according to claim 24, wherein the profile edge is a leading edge. 
     
     
       29. Profile edge according to claim 24, wherein the profile edge is a trailing edge. 
     
     
       30. An aerodynamic profile, comprising: a leading edge having an initial curvature;   a trailing edge having an initial curvature;   a body structure extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and including an outside surface disposed along a periphery of the leading and trailing edges, an inside surface opposite the outside surface, an upper side and an under side;   a coating of multifunctional material disposed in a partly distributed manner on the outside surface of one of the leading edge and trailing edge; and   wherein upon introduction of an external force to the multifunctional material, the material is activated, activation of the multifunctional material causing a structural deformation of the one of the leading and trailing edges at which the material is disposed so as to vary the initial curvature of the edge along its length into a second curvature.   
     
     
       31. The aerodynamic profile of claim 30, wherein the second curvature is increased from the initial curvature. 
     
     
       32. The aerodynamic profile of claim 30, wherein the second curvature is decreased from the initial curvature. 
     
     
       33. The aerodynamic profile of claim 30, wherein the coating of multifunctional material is disposed in a partly distributed manner on the outside surface of both of the leading edge and trailing edge.